Hando Ruus
Hando Ruus | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Tou |
| Born | 16 May 1917 Tallinn, Estonia |
| Died | 31 March 1945 (aged 27) Leningrad, Soviet Union |
| Allegiance |  Estonia |
| Service/ | Estonia, Nazi Germany |
| Years of service | 1938–1940 Estonian Army 1941 Eesti Omakaitse 1941-1942 Wehrmacht 1942-1945 Waffen SS |
| Rank | SS-Hauptsturmführer |
| Unit | 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) Battalion "Narva" |
| Battles/wars | World War II Eastern Front |
| Awards | Eastern Front Medal Infantry Assault Badge Wound Badge Iron Cross 2nd & 1st class German Cross |
| Other work | Painter |
Hando Ruus (birth name Harald-Ferdinand Ruhs changed on August 1, 1939; May 16, 1917 – March 31, 1945 (probable)) was an Estonian SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain) in World War II, serving in Battalion "Narva" and in the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian). His nickname was Tou.
After graduating from art school, Ruus joined the Estonian Army, serving in the 10th Independent Infantry Battalion. On July 6, 1940, after finishing officer courses, Ruus was promoted to Sergeant and on September 8, 1940, he was assigned to a reserve unit.
In 1941, Hando Ruus did not follow the mobilization call of the Soviet Army. He decided to hide in the woods and became a Forest Brother. He became a group leader of Saku Omakaitse. In 1941, he volunteered for the Wehrmacht, where he was promoted to lieutenant and later sent to the Estonian Legion. He started serving in SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier Bataillon Narva, which was simply known as Battalion "Narva".
After Battalion "Narva" was ordered to be separated from the Estonian Legion and united with the 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking, Ruus was promoted to company leader, where he led his unit in all battles that "Narva" was involved in, including the Battle of Izium and Battle of Cherkasy. In Cherkasy, Ruus was wounded and sent to Riga.
Battalion "Narva" was merged into the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) and was sent back home, to Estonia, where Estonian people welcomed them as heroes.
On April 1, 1944, Ruus married Salme-Miralda Kurg.
On April 18, Ruus, together with "Narva", was sent to the border of Estonia, fighting against the advancing Red Army. Two days later, he was promoted to SS-Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant). The Battalion had to fight alongside the Estonian 47th Regiment in the Battle of Auvere. On July 25, Ruus and his battalion had to hold back the onslaught of the Red Army. Estonian positions were covered with Soviet artillery support. They launched approximately 80,000 shots, but still, their infantry was defeated with great losses. The Soviet Army lost about 8,000 men killed, as well as 29 tanks and 8 planes.
During the Battle of Tannenberg Line, Ruus became the commander of Battalion "Narva", due to the deaths of all the other officers.
Ruus also fought in the Porkuni. After heavy fighting, Ruus and his battalion were cut off by Soviet troops and taken prisoner. He also fell ill with pneumonia and was sent to Gatchina, Russia. Later, he was transported to Leningrad, where he was presumably executed on March 31, 1945.
Ranks & Decorations
Ranks
- October 29, 1939 – Private (Estonian Army)
- July 6, 1940 – Junior sergeant (Estonian Army)
- September 21, 1941 – Lieutenant (Wehrmacht)
- April 18, 1944 – SS-Obersturmführer (Waffen-SS)
- August 1944 – SS-Hauptsturmführer (Waffen-SS)
Decorations
- Eastern Front Medal
- Infantry Assault Badge
- Wound Badge
- Iron Cross 2nd & 1st class
- German Cross in Gold – was the only Estonian who received it.
References
- Reino Hein "Hando Ruus kunstnik ja ohvitser" Tartu Greif 2000
This article "Hando Ruus" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
